Refrigerating system



Jan. 16, 1934. L 'Q COPEMAN j Re. 19,055

` I REFRIGERATIG SYSTEM Original Filed March 27, 1951 2 Slleets--SheefIl I Mmmm INVENTOR. 1,0m G. COPE/7m.

BY/mw Y A TTORNEYS Jan. 16, 1934.

'| G. oPEMAN REFRIGERATING SYSTEM Original Filed March 27, 1931 2Sheets-Sheet 2 'as 21 2z 30 INVENTKOR BY L L. 0 Y0 G. C OPE/wmv.

HAM/@YM ATTORNEYS Reissued 16, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:A

, nEFRIGERATmG SYSTEM original Nn. 1,840,619, dated January 12, 1932,Serial No. 525,786, March 27, 1931. Application for reissue August 2,1933.

22 Claims.

This invention relates to a refrigerating system,

and particularly to a novel method and apparatus for utilizingsolidified C: or similar substances as a refrigerating medium and sourceof power.

This application is a continuation in part of my Patent No. 1,840,702.issued January 12, 1932.

The present invention is an improvement over that disclosed in my priorpatent in that it relates .more particularly to the cooling of arelatively large body of brine and the manner in which this brine iscirculated to obtain a. more efficient refrigeration thereby. Morespecifically the present invention resides in using a surplus ofevaporated CO: gas over that required to effect circulation of therefrigerating medium. In other words, the gist of the present inventionresides in greater and more eiiicient circulation which directly resultsin a more eilicient transferof heat units and the obtaining of aregulable but extremely cold body of refrigerating medium surrounding orforming a part of the cooling unit.

Other features reside in the particular form of agitating means for therelatively large body of brine which may be maintained at relatively lowtemperatures by the system, and the manner in which circulation of therefrigerating medium is obtained together with the novel use ofpractically all the CO1 gas evaporated from the solid body of CO2.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of one form ofrefrigerating unit embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an yenlarged fragmentary view of a portion of one form of pumpwhich may be utilized for circulating the refrigerant.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of refrigeratingunit embodying the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view o f a portion of one of the pumpunits utilized for circulating the refrigerant in a unit such as shownin Fig. 3.

One of the important features of the present invention resides in thenovel combination of the refrigerant producing means or what might betermed broadly the refrigerating unit in combination with the coolingunit, together with the simplicity and design of this refrigerating unititself.

In Fig. 1 I have shown what might be termed broadly a refrigeratingsystem embodying a dipping tank. The refrigerating unit itself ispreferably compact an'd unitary and may be;broadly designated 1.., 'Ihisunit may consist of the usual Serial No. 683,396

container 4 may, if desired, be perforated so that 60 y the brine maycirculate directly around the solid CO2, but I prefer to have thiscontainer 4 imperforate and surrounded with a brine container 5.

A substantially constant body of brine is adapted to be maintainedwithin this container 5 and of course, is in direct heat conductingrelation with the CO2 container 4. The body of brine in the container 5may be conducted to and have a refrigerating effect upon the body ofbrine 6 in 70 the dipping tank by means of a. coil 7 which encircles thetank 3 and is positioned in heat conducting relation thereto. This coil7 terminates in one or more conduits 8 which preferably extendvertically up through the body of brine in the tank 5.

A conduit 9 is adapted to conduct the evaporated CO2 gas and direct thesame into the coil or coils 8 in a manner which is more clearlyillustrated in Fig. 2. This conduit 9 `may have a 30 series of laterallyextending apertures 10 therein for the discharge of the CO2 gases intothe brine within the conduit 8. It will be obvious that these gases maybe discharged into the refrigerant within the conduit 8 in variousdifferent 85 ways but the effect is to cause positive' circulation ofthe refrigerant by the injection of the CO2 gases. The refrigerantwithin the conduit fwill be made to positively rise and be dischargedout the top of the conduit as at 11 and replenish the 9 supply of brinewithin the container 5. This positive circulation will, of course, causethe cold brine surrounding the CO2 container 4 to pass into the conduit7 and continue its circulation around the coils. A suitable valve 12 isposi- 95 tioned in the conduit 9 so as to control the iiow of evaporatedCO2 into the'conduit 8 and thus control the circulation 'of refrigerant`through said conduit 8 and through the entire'. system. This valve 12may be connected to any suit- 100 able thermostat (not shown) as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, whereby. the flow of C02 andcirculation of brine may be automatically accelerated or retarded incase a predetermined temperature is desired within the dipping tank. Y

It will be obvious here that as circulation of the brine or otherrefrigerating medium through the coils is retarded that the temperatureof the brine within the container 5 will valso rise thus 11 C02 with theresult that as the thermostat or other unit causes reopening of thevalve immediate and eihcient cooling of the brine, as it cireulatesaround the container 4, is obtained.

The surplus evaporated gas overth'at required the dipping tank. Thepassage of this surplusV C0: through the brine will not only assist incooling and agitating the same, but the escaping CO2 from the dippingtank will be beneficial in the.

preserving of meats and the like which might be stored in positionsadjacent the cooling unit.

The circulating coils 7 are preferably embedded in the mam ofplastically applied stone or` other material 14 having relatively goodholdover and conductive properties. This stone also preferably surroundsthe container 5 although I prefer to provide a lining of insulatingmaterial immediately around the container 5 whereby the relatively lowtemperature within the container 5 may-be maintained independently ofthe temperature within the dipping tank. It will be obvious 'that thisstone or similar material will provide a very eiective hold-over for thedipping tank and thus materially reduce the evaporation of the solid -COto maintain the required temperatures and also hold the dipping tank toa relatively low temperature inf case the supply of solid CO: should betemporarily exhausted.

In the modication illustrated in Fig. 3, I preferably utilize a tanksimilar to that shown in Fig. 1 and broadly designated 20. This tank maybe suitably insulated as at 21 and also provided with a lining 22 ofstone or similar material having good hold-over and conductiveproperties. In the case of this particular modification the container 23for holding the char'ge of solidified CO: is\preferably immerseddirectly in the refrigerating medium forming a part of the dipping tankor similar refrigerating unit.

The top of this container 23 is, of course, sealed by means of the cover24 and this cover may be provided with a suitable relief valve 25. Anenlarged conduit 26 surrounds the lower end of the container 23 and thelower end of this conduit 26 terminates in one or more entrances 2'?which f form the mouth of the circulating conduit or conduits 28.

A conduit 29 may be provided for conducting the evaporated CO: from. thecontainer 23 through the circulating conduit or conduits 28 and asuitable valve 30 may be provided for this conduit 29 whereby to controlthe ow of gas through the conduit 29. It will be understood that thisvalve 30 may be connected to any suitable thermostat or other controlmeans (not shown) whereby the valve may be opened or closed toaccelerate or retard the flow of gas through the conduit 29 inaccordance with the temperature oi the dipping tank or otherrefrigerating unit.

I preferably utilize a plurality of conduits 28 and these conduits alsopreferably extend along the bottom of the dipping tank 31 and thensubstantially vertically as at 32 so-that the ends of the conduits 28discharge at the top and far side of the tank relative to the container23. It will be understood that the discharging portions 32 of theconduit 28 may be exactly vertical as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 orslightly inclined as shown in solid lines in Fig. 3. The important pointhere, however, is the fact that such diswherebythe circulating brine orother refrigerating medium is easily circulated and discharged withoutthe necessity of passing through numerous bends and the like.

The end of v'-.th`e1conduit' 29 preferably. terminates within theIvertical-portionV 32 ofthe convduits 2.8 and such end of the conduit 29may be provided with a plurality of apertures '33 for the discharge ofthe evaporated CO2 gas into the brine to cause positive circulationthereof.`

By using a relatively large number of circulating conduits 28 and arelatively large supply of evaporated CO2 gas, it will be obvious thatthe refrigerant or brine 31 will be drawn downwardly around thecontainer 23 and into the enlarged mouth 26. Direct conductivity betweenthe contents of the container 23 and the ysurrounding brine is thusobtained and as this device causes positive and rapid circulation of thebrine it will be seen that a rapid vheat transfer is obtained by thebrine wiping the surfaces of the container 23. This cool brine is pushedor drawn through the circulating conduits 28 and discharged at the topof the tank to be again circulated. The tempercharging portions 32 aresubstantially vertical ature of the brine within the dipping tank 31 maythus be reduced to anl extremely low point in accordance with the amountof circulation allowed by the valve 30. It will thus be seen that wheresuch a tank is used almost continuously for the dipping and freezing offoodstuls that a relatively low and predetermined temperature may bemaintained at all times.

It will be understood that in the structure shown in Fig. 3 the reliefvalve 25 may be utilized and set to discharge any surplus CO2 over thatrequired for maximum circulation, and particularly where athe valve 30is to be closed a considerable amount to temporarily retard circulation.

What I claim is:

1. A refrigerating system, comprising a tank holding a relativelylarge'supply of refrigerating medium, a container for receiving a chargeof solid C02 positioned adjacent said tank and forming a part of therefrigerating unit, a body of brine constantly surrounding said CO:container, a conduit forconducting the evaporated CO2 from said solidCO2 container into said large body of brine to cause agitation thereof,and a mass of material surrounding said large body of brine and saidbrine around said CO2 container, said material having relatively goodhold-over and conductive properties.

2. A refrigerating system, comprising a container for receiving arelatively large body of brine, an enclosed container for receiving abody of solid CO2, a brine container surrounding said CO2 container, acirculating means connected with said last named body of brine andsurrounding said large body of brine and in heat conducting relationtherewith, said circulating means terminating within said second namedbody of brine, means for conducting evaporated CO2 into said circulatingmeans to cause positive circulation of the brine therethrough, and abody of stone embedding saidcirculating means and surrounding said twobodies of brine. v

3. A refrigerating system comprising, a container for receiving arelatively large body oi' brine, an enclosed container for receiving abody of solid CO2, a brine container surrounding said CO: container, acirculating means connected with said last named body of brine andsurrounding said large 'body of brine and in heat container forreceiving a relatively large body of terminating within said secondnamed body of brine, means for conducting evaporated CO2 into saidcirculating means to cause positive circulation of the brinetherethrough, and means for conducting surplus CO2 gas into said largebody of brine to cause agitation thereof.

4. A refrigerating system comprising, a conbrine, an enclosed containerfor receiving a body of solid CO2 a brine container surrounding said CO2container, a circulating means connected with said last named body of`brine and surrounding said large body of brine and in heat conductingrelation therewith, said circulating means terminating within saidsecond named body of brine, means for conducting evaporated CO2 intosaid circulating means to cause positive circulation of the brinetherethrough, means for conducting surplus CO2 ga's into said large bodyof brine to cause agitation thereof and means for controlling the flowof said CO2 gas into said circulating means to regulate the 110W ofbrine therethrough.

5. A refrigerating system comprising a tank containing a supply of arefrigerating medium, a containers adapted to receive a solid body ofCO2 immersed within the refrigerating medium Within said tank,circulating means adapted to conduct the refrigerating medium around thebottom of said CO2 container and then upwardly towards the top ofthemain body of refrigerant,

and means for discharging the evaporated C02 gas from said CO2 containerinto said circulating means to cause positive circulation of the`refrigerating medium therethrough.

6. A refrigerating system comprising a tank containing a supply of arefrigerating medium, a

^ container adapted to receive a solid body of CO2 immersed within therefrigerating medium Within said tank, circulating means adapted toconduct the refrigerating medium around the bottom of said CO2 containerand then upwardly towards the top of the main body of refrigerant,means' for discharging kthe evaporated CO2 gas from said CO2 containerinto said vcirculating means to cause positive circulation of therefrigerating medium therethrough, and means for controlling thedischarge of lCO2 gas into said circulating means to control thecirculation of the refrigerating medium in said tank.

7. A refrigerating system comprising, a re,-

frigerating unit holding a body of refrigerating medium, a container forreceiving a charge of solidified CO2 immersed therein, circulating meanssurrounding the bottom part of said container and terminating in one ormore circulating conduits running along the bottom of said maincontainer and terminating in one or more substantially verticaldischargeconduits, and means a for discharging. evaporated CO2 from saidCO2 container into said circulating conduit or conduits for causingpositive circulating of refrigerating medium downwardly around the CO2container and then upwardly towards the tori` of the main container.

8. A refrigerating system comprising a refrigerating unit holding a bodyof refrigerating medium, a container for, receiving a charge ofsolidified CO: immersed therein, circulating means surrounding thebottom part of said con-v tainer and terminating in a plurality ofcirculating conduits running along the bottom of said main container andterminating in a,pl urality of substantially vertical dischargeconduits, and

means for discharging evaporated CO: from said CO2 container into saidcirculating conduit or conduits forv causing positive circulation ofrefrigerating medium downwardly around the CO1 container and thenupwardly towards the top of the main container.

9. A refrigerating system comprising a main container for receiving abody of refrigerating medium, a container for receiving solid CO2immersed directly therein, a circulating conduit partially surroundingsaid CO2 container and terminating in one or more circulating conduitshaving a substantially vertical discharge portion,

and gas conducting means connected with said CO2 container and passingalong the inside o f the Said circulating conduit or conduits andterminating in said vertical discharge portion whereby to discharge gasinto said circulating conduits at such vertical portions.

10. A refrigerating systemcomprising a main container for receiving abody of refrigerating medium, a container for receiving solid CO2immersed directly therein, a circulating conduit partially surroundingsaid CO1 container and terminating in one or more circulating conduitshaving a substantially vertical discharge portion, gas conducting meansconnected with said CO2 container and passing along'the inside of thesaid circulating conduit or conduits and terminating in said verticaldischarge portion whereby to discharge gas into said circulatingconduits at such vertical portions, and means for controlling the supplyof CO2 through said gas conducting means to control the circulation ofrefrigerating medium.

ll. A refrigerating system comprising a container for holding arelatively large supply of liquid to be refrigerated, a container forreceiving a charge of solid CO2 positioned adjacent said supply of4.liquid and forming a part of the refrigerating system, a body of brineadapted to be positioned in heat conducting relation with the solid CO2and also in heat conducting relation with the large supply of liquid,means for circulating said brine to effect heat transfer between saidsolid CO2 and body of liquid. and means for conducting evaporated C02gases directly into said liquid. f'

12. A refrigerating system comprising a` container for holding arelatively large supply of yliquid to be refrigerated, a container forreceiving a charge of solid C02 positioned adjacent s'aid supplyvofliquid and forming a part of the refrigerating system, a body of brineadapted to be positioned in `heat conducting relation with the solidCO1.` and also in heat conducting relation ,with the large supply ofliquid, means for circuing a charge of s olid CO2 pnsitioned adjacentsaid supply of liquid and forming a part of the refrigerating system, abody of liquid adapted to be positioned in heat conducting relation withthe solid CO2 and also in heat conducting relationzwith the large supplyof'liquid, means for circulating said body of liquid to elect heattransfer between said solid CO2. and body of liquid, and

means forconducting evaporated C02 gases directly into the lower portionof the body of liquid.

14. A refrigerating system 'comprising a container for' holding arelatively large supply of liquid to be refrigerated, a container forreceiving a charge of solid CO2 positioned adjacent saidv supply ofliquid and forming a part of the refrigerating system, a body of liquidadapted to be positioned in heat conducting relation with the solid CO2and also in heat conducting relation with the large supply of liquid,means for circulating said body of-liquid to effect heat transferbetween said solid CO2 and body of liquid, means for conductingevaporated CO2 gases directly into the lower portion of the body ofliquid, and means for `contr olling said positive circulation of brine.15. A refrigeratingsystem-comprising a container for holding arelatively large supply of liquid to be refrigerated, a container forreceiving acharge of solid CO2 positioned 'adjacent said supply ofliquid and forming a part of the refrigerating system, a body of brineadapted to be positioned in heat .conducting relation with the' solidCO2 and also in heat conducting relation with the large supply ofliquid, means for circulating said brine togeilect heat transfer betweensaid solid CO2 and body of liquid, and means for conducting evaporatedCO2 gases directly into said liquid to agitate and assist in cooling thesame.

16, A refrigerating system, comprising a container for receiving a bodyof liquid to be cooled,

.a second container for receiving a body of solid CO2, the lower portionof said second container and body of solid CO2 being directly positionedin said bodyv of liquid when in operation, means for conductingevaporated CO2 gases from the bottom portion of said container into thebody of liquid being lcooled whereby the gases will flow s downwardly inwiping the inside of the CO2 container and a portion of the body ofliquid will wipe the outside of the container and 'move in the samedownward direction, and relief means set to discharge to the atmosphereany surplus CO: accumulating above a predetermined pressure.

17. A refrigerating system, comprising a container for receiving a bodyof liquid to'be cooled, a second container for receiving a body of solidCO2, the lower portion of said second container and body of solid CO2being directly positioned in said body of liquid when in operation,means vfor conducting evaporated CO2 gases from the bottom portion ofsaid container .into the body of liquid beingcooled whereby the gaseswill flow downwardly in wiping the-inside of the CO2 container and aportion of the body of liquid will wipe thefoutside of the container andmove in container up through'the bodyof liquid-,and `relief means set todischarge any surplus ACO2 :over that required to produceY maximum flowliquid through said tube. i l

18. Arrefrigerating system, comprising a main container for receiving abody of liquid to be cooledja second container for receiving a' body o!solid CO2, said second container having a portion'thereof directlypositioned within said liquid, a conduit leading from a point adjacentthe bottom oi' said portion positioned within the liquid for conductingevaporated CO2 gases directly into said liquid whereby the CO: gases.flowing downwardlyV will wipe one side of the container and a portion oithe liquid will wipe the other tainer dependingn from the top portion ofsaidV first container for receiving a body of solid' CO1, the lowerportion of said second container being directly positioned in said bodyof liquid when in operation, means for conducting evaporated 'CO2 gasesfrom the bottom portion of said container directly into said body ofliquid, and a relief valve extending through .the top portion of saidmaimcontainer for discharging any ac-` cumulated vsurplus CO2 over apredetermined pressure.

v20. A refrigerating system, comprising a main container for receivingand completely enclosing a body of liquid to be cooled, a secondcontainer Bsupported and positioned by one of the Walls of the outercontainer for receiving a body of solid CO2, the lower portion of saidsecond container beingdirectly positioned in Vsaid body of l liquid whenin operationfmea'ns for conducting evaporated CO2 gases from the bottomportion of said container directly into said body of liquid, anda reliefvalve extending through an outer enclosing wall for discharging to theat mosphere any accumulated surplus G02 over a predetermined pressure.'

V21. A refrigeratng system, comprising a contaner for receiving a bodyof liquid to be cooled, a second container for receiving a body of solidCO2, the lower portion of said second container being directlypositioned in said body of 4liquid when in operation, means forconducting evaporated CO2 gases from the bottom portion of saidcontainer into the body of liquid being cooled whereby the gases willflow downwardly in wiping the inside of the CO2 container and a portionof -the body of liquid will wipe the outside of the container andmove-in the same downward direction, and relief means set to dischargeto the atmosphere any surplus CO1:A accumulating above a predeterminedpressure, said body ofy solid CO2 being spaced from the bottom of saidC02 container.

22. A refrigeratng system, 'comprising a container for receiving a bodyof liquid to Ibe cooled, a second container for receiving a body ofsolid CO2, the lower portion of said second container being directlypositioned in and to one side of the general vertical axis of said bodyof liquid when in operation, means for conducting evaporated CO2 gasesfrom the bottom portion of id container into the body of liqudbeingcooled whereby the gases will flow downwardly in wiping the inside ofthe CO2 container and a portion of the body of liquidwill wipe theoutside of Athe container and move in the same downward direction, andrelief means set to discharge to the atmosphere'any surplus CO2accumulat-

